Method and system for optically testing a detector

Abstract

An optical test system ( 10 ) for testing one or more detectors includes a signal generator ( 12 ) operable to generate an optical signal. The test system ( 10 ) also includes an aperture system ( 16 ) operable to regulate an intensity of the optical signal. The test system ( 10 ) further includes a signal distributor ( 20 ) coupled to the aperture system ( 16 ) and operable to distribute the optical signal to a plurality of optical connections ( 22 ). Each optical connection ( 22 ) is coupled to a detector.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An optical test system for testing detectors with a same optical signal, comprising: 
       a signal generator operable to generate an optical signal;  
       an aperture system operable to regulate an intensity of the optical signal; and  
       a signal distributor coupled to the aperture system and operable to distribute the same optical signal to a plurality of optical connections, each optical connection coupled to one of the detectors.  
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an iris system coupled to the signal generator and operable to regulate the intensity of the optical signal transmitted to the aperture system. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a filter system coupled to the aperture system and operable to regulate a frequency of the optical signal. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture system comprises a plurality of shutters, each shutter having a plurality of apertures operable to regulate the intensity of the optical signal. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture system comprises: 
       a first shutter having a plurality of apertures;  
       a second shutter having a plurality of apertures; and  
       a control system operable to align one of the apertures of the first shutter with one of the apertures of the second shutter to regulate the intensity of the optical signal.  
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 5 , wherein each aperture of the first and second shutters is configured having a different diameter. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the optical connections comprise liquid light guides. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the signal distributor comprises: 
       a housing having a first end and a second end, the first end having an inlet operable to receive the optical signal, the second end having a plurality of openings coupled to the optical connections; and  
       a reflector disposed within the housing, the reflector operable to reflect the optical signal from the inlet to each of the openings.  
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 8 , wherein each opening is aligned with the inlet. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 8 , wherein the reflector comprises a reflecting cone extending from the inlet to the second end of the housing. 
     
     
       11. A method for optically testing detectors with a same optical signal, comprising: 
       generating an optical signal using a signal generator;  
       regulating an intensity of the optical signal using an aperture system, and  
       distributing the same optical signal to a plurality of optical connections, each optical connection coupled to one of the detectors.  
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein regulating comprises transmitting the optical signal through an aperture of a shutter. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 11 , wherein regulating comprises: 
       aligning an aperture of a first shutter with an aperture of a second shutter; and  
       transmitting the optical signal through the aligned apertures.  
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 11 , wherein regulating further comprises transmitting the optical signal through an iris system, the iris system comprising an adjustable diaphragm operable to regulate the intensity of the optical signal. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 11 , wherein regulating comprises: 
       aligning a first aperture of a first shutter with a second aperture of a second shutter; and  
       transmitting the optical signal through the first and second apertures.  
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , further comprising: 
       aligning a third aperture of the first shutter with the second aperture of the second shutter to modify the intensity of the optical signal; and  
       transmitting the optical signal through the second and third apertures.  
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 11 , wherein distributing comprises: 
       receiving the optical signal at a first end of a housing; and  
       reflecting the optical signal to each of the optical connections coupled to a second end of the housing using a reflector disposed within the housing.  
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising regulating a frequency of the optical signal using a filter. 
     
     
       19. A system for optically testing detectors with a same optical signal, comprising; 
       a signal generator operable to generate an optical signal;  
       an aperture system coupled to the signal generator, the aperture system having a first shutter and a second shutter, the first and second shutters each having a plurality of different size apertures;  
       a control system operable to align an aperture of the first shutter with an aperture of the second shutter to regulate an intensity of the optical signal, and  
       a distributor operable to transmit the same optical signal to each of the detectors.  
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 19 , wherein the distributor comprises: 
       a housing having a first end and a second end, the first end configured to receive the optical signal; and  
       a reflector disposed between the first and second ends, the reflector operable to reflect the optical signal to each of a plurality of optical connections coupled to the second end of the housing, each optical connection coupled to a detector.  
     
     
       21. The system of  claim 20 , wherein the reflector comprises a conically configured reflector. 
     
     
       22. The system of  claim 20 , wherein the housing further comprises a housing wrap extending from the first end to the second and operable to shield the optical signal from external optical interference. 
     
     
       23. The system of  claim 19 , further comprising an iris system coupled to the signal generator and operable to regulate the intensity of the optical signal transmitted to the aperture system. 
     
     
       24. The system of  claim 23 , wherein the iris system comprises an adjustable diaphragm operable to regulate the intensity of the optical signal. 
     
     
       25. The system of  claim 19 , wherein the aperture system is further operable to automatically align the apertures of the first and second shutters to transmit the optical signal having a minimum intensity in a default condition.